Holidays in India: South Indian Palaces & Temples Tour fr. £1,985pp

Exploring soulful South India is a gentle introduction to holidays in India, where the pace of life is calmer and relaxing.

Your tour package in India will take you to some of the most magnificent palaces and holy temples of Tamil Nadu; the charming city of Cochin with its picturesque harbour; and the renowned Periyar National Park with its tranquil lake and wild elephants.

This has to be one of the most soothing holiday packages of South India.

Highlights of the Tour Indian-Temple

Magnificent Mysore – the Sandalwood City with its Royal Palace

Graceful Ooty – known as the Queen of the Hill Stations

Madurai – one of India’s holiest cities with its colourful parade of pilgrims

The Tour [18 days – 16 nights]

Day 01 Departure:

Day 02 Bangalore:

Arrive at Bangalore airport/railway station and transfer to your hotel. The day is yours to relax. Maybe take a short stroll around the Garden City before dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 Bangalore – Mysore:

Your own private city tour of the capital of Karnataka, taking in all the sights including Bangalore Palace, inspired by Windsor Castle, the fort of Tipu Sultan with its Mughal architecture and perhaps the Botanical Gardens. After lunch, leave for Mysore (transfer time: approx.3h30m) and after checking in to your hotel, relax before dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 04 Mysore:

A day of sightseeing in Mysore, visiting the Maharajah’s Palace, built in 1912 with its Golden Royal Elephant Throne, grand Galleries and impressive Gardens with fountains and waterways. Later, we have chance to explore the colorful local markets of Mysore. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 05 Mysore – Ooty:

After breakfast, we leave for Ooty (transfer time: approx.3h30m), known as Queen of the Hill Stations, travelling through lush countryside and the cooler climbs of the green hills. Time to relax at your hotel or take a stroll before dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 06 Ooty – Cochin:

After breakfast, we journey to Coimatore( transfer time: approx.3h30m) where you’ll fly to the charming city of Cochin, rich in colonial and cultural heritage. After checking in and relaxing at your hotel, enjoy a Kathakali folk dance performance. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 Cochin:

A day of sightseeing and taking in the cultural and sacred highlights of Cochin including the oldest synagogue in India built in 1568. We also visit St Francis’ Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503. Visit the Dutch Palace with its stunning murals and soak up the atmosphere of the picturesque port. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 08 Cochin – Periyar:

After breakfast we drive through the countryside to reach your hotel at Periyar and the famous National Park (transfer time: approx. 4h). Freshen up and relax and maybe take a boat ride on Lake Periyar. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 09 Periyar – Kumarakom:

A relaxing morning with options to tour the National Park and see the wildlife. Later, we leave for Kumarakom (transfer time: approx. 4h) and after settling in at your HOTEL, take a boat ride of Kumarakom Lake. There’s also plenty of opportunity for lakeside walks or relaxing at the hotel. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 10 Kumarakom – Kovalam:

After breakfast we leave for the coast and head to Kovalam (transfer time: approx. 5h). Upon arrival, relax and spend a leisurely day at the hotel or exploring the nearby sights. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11 Kovalam:

Spend the day relaxing on one of India’s premier beaches, stroll along the sands, sample some seafood, visit the local markets and savour the stunning sunset. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 12 Kovalam – Madurai:

After breakfast, we set off for the colourful city of Madurai. (transfer time: approx. 7h) Check in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13 Madurai:

After breakfast, take a city tour of Madurai including the ancient Meenakshi Temple, nestled in the heart of the old town. It has to be one of the most impressive temples in India and enjoy visit to Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace and the Gandhi Museum. Spend overnight at Madurai hotel.

Day 14 Madurai – Thanjavur:

Drive to Thanjavur (transfer time: approx. 4h) after breakfast and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon we tour Brihadeshwara Temple & Fort, built during the 10th century by the great Chola king Rajaraja Chola I. The impressive dome is said to be constructed from a single piece of granite. The Thanjavur Palace & Museum, adjacent to the temple was built around 1550 and the architecture is stunning. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 15 Thanjavur – Pondicherry:

After breakfast, we drive to Pondicherry (transfer time: approx. 4h30m) En route, we visit Chidambaram, the 9th century Shiva Temple with over 100 sculptures. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 16 Pondicherry – Chennai:

Pondicherry retains its former colonial French influence and we visit the sights including Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. A mix of archaeological interest and French period furniture. There is time to explore this intriguing city before we leave for Chennai transfer time: approx. 3h30m. Check in to your hotel and relax, taking in the neighbourhood before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 17 Chennai:

Spend the day savouring the rich history of Chennai. After breakfast, we head to Kanchipuram Temple and the sacred Mahishasurmardini caves in Mahabalipuram. The temples have a unique architectural beauty that bear eloquent testimony to their magnificent Dravidian heritage. Later return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.